Rare KeithJenner Posted October 17, 2023 #351 Share Posted October 17, 2023 5 hours ago, ontheweb said: Isn't it just as likely that the exchange rate will make it less expensive than to make it more expensive? Yes, of course, and over time it is likely to even itself up, but the uncertainty on any individual cruise isn’t necessarily what people want. I prefer to just know what the final cost will be, which is one of the reasons why I don’t book this way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare insidecabin Posted October 17, 2023 #352 Share Posted October 17, 2023 On 10/15/2023 at 10:37 PM, KeithJenner said: Generally, not really. The fee for free at sea in Europe is generally fairly similar to the gratuities paid in the US. It is something to take into account when deciding where to book (as part of the total cost), but it’s unlikely to be the thing that makes the difference and if so then it would be very marginal. The biggest difference would be if you want the free at sea benefits except for the beverage package, as the US has the option to refuse the beverage package and avoid its cost. The other factor is that there are occasional offers where free at sea is cheaper, usually half price. This could mean that it makes more of a difference. Basically, just price it in when comparing costs. Never seen 50% free at sea in the US. UK will be getting it again worth looking out for. Next UK sale refresh is Thur/Friday (Whisper is it might be longer than a few days flash sale this time) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ontheweb Posted October 17, 2023 #353 Share Posted October 17, 2023 4 hours ago, KeithJenner said: Yes, of course, and over time it is likely to even itself up, but the uncertainty on any individual cruise isn’t necessarily what people want. I prefer to just know what the final cost will be, which is one of the reasons why I don’t book this way. OK, I can understand that, but somehow I got the impression from your previous posts that you feel the exchange rate will almost certainly get worse for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare JamieLogical Posted October 17, 2023 #354 Share Posted October 17, 2023 This whole thread made me even angrier with NCL's exorbitant list price for all their drinks. They keep raising the drink prices because everyone has Free at Sea and they want to force people to upgrade to the Premium Plus or whatever they call it now. It seems fine when the pricing is all "fake" and you are just paying the difference on drinks over the FaS package or paying to upgrade. But if you are having to pay VAT on all the fake drink prices, that can really add up! 4 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DCGuy64 Posted October 17, 2023 #355 Share Posted October 17, 2023 39 minutes ago, JamieLogical said: But if you are having to pay VAT on all the fake drink prices, that can really add up! Great point! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panhandle Couple Posted October 17, 2023 #356 Share Posted October 17, 2023 50 minutes ago, JamieLogical said: This whole thread made me even angrier with NCL's exorbitant list price for all their drinks. They keep raising the drink prices because everyone has Free at Sea and they want to force people to upgrade to the Premium Plus or whatever they call it now. It seems fine when the pricing is all "fake" and you are just paying the difference on drinks over the FaS package or paying to upgrade. But if you are having to pay VAT on all the fake drink prices, that can really add up! Ever drink in an airport? Or at a concert? NCL prices are slightly lower than the airport, and a LOT lower than a concert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare JamieLogical Posted October 17, 2023 #357 Share Posted October 17, 2023 1 hour ago, Panhandle Couple said: Ever drink in an airport? Or at a concert? NCL prices are slightly lower than the airport, and a LOT lower than a concert. Right, but compared to other cruise lines, their prices are obscene. On MSC, a shot of Bailey's is $10. On NCL it's $16! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayfurr Posted October 17, 2023 #358 Share Posted October 17, 2023 We just got off the Gem after cruising in Spanish waters. I noted that all our drink receipts did show a charge for drinks in addition to the VAT despite our having the bar package. However, none of those drink charges showed up on our final bill -- just the VAT did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg2014 Posted October 17, 2023 #359 Share Posted October 17, 2023 @jayfurr - what was your itinirary ? where have you started and finished your cruise ? As it was wrote here, charging VAT depends on different parameters (port of start/end + if you have non-EU ports onroute). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrillja Posted October 25, 2023 #360 Share Posted October 25, 2023 On 10/17/2023 at 11:06 AM, JamieLogical said: they want to force people to upgrade to the Premium Plus or whatever they call it now. We had premium plus and it was madness dealing with the fact that absolutely no one from guest services to any bar staff had a clue what was and was not included. Some bottles of wine are supposed to be included, no one on the ship had any idea which ones, some drinks up to $50 a serving are included but others at 20 were not. The whole beverage program was a hot mess. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DCGuy64 Posted October 25, 2023 #361 Share Posted October 25, 2023 8 hours ago, terrillja said: We had premium plus and it was madness dealing with the fact that absolutely no one from guest services to any bar staff had a clue what was and was not included. Some bottles of wine are supposed to be included, no one on the ship had any idea which ones, some drinks up to $50 a serving are included but others at 20 were not. The whole beverage program was a hot mess. Thank you for this, it makes me glad we opted not to get that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ladyshopper23 Posted October 25, 2023 #362 Share Posted October 25, 2023 Am quite surprised. We're on the Getaway, and expected Spanish VAT to be charged today as we're mainland Spain, but it hasn't been. Even had the dreaded email before the cruise warning us about it. Cruise started in Southampton, stopped in France first, then Spain today and tomorrow. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare steamboats Posted October 25, 2023 #363 Share Posted October 25, 2023 @Ladyshopper23 as your cruise started in Southampton you are only required to pay the Spanish VAT in Spanish ports (and within the 3 miles zone). Anyway, someone on the Epic said that they now don´t charge the Spanish VAT anymore on drinks when you do have the package. The information in the daily read "not for F&B packages". steamboats 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmoopie17 Posted October 25, 2023 #364 Share Posted October 25, 2023 15 minutes ago, steamboats said: Anyway, someone on the Epic said that they now don´t charge the Spanish VAT anymore on drinks when you do have the package. The information in the daily read "not for F&B packages". And the ongoing saga of the VAT takes another turn. Let's hope this is the trend going forward, since we paid VAT for our four Spain ports last year. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ladyshopper23 Posted October 25, 2023 #365 Share Posted October 25, 2023 2 hours ago, steamboats said: @Ladyshopper23 as your cruise started in Southampton you are only required to pay the Spanish VAT in Spanish ports (and within the 3 miles zone). Anyway, someone on the Epic said that they now don´t charge the Spanish VAT anymore on drinks when you do have the package. The information in the daily read "not for F&B packages". steamboats We're in a Spanish mainland port today (well, just left) and are also in one tomorrow. There was nothing in the daily for today mentioning any charge, and no signs up, nor any extra charges made. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fredrik Posted October 25, 2023 #366 Share Posted October 25, 2023 2 hours ago, steamboats said: @Ladyshopper23 as your cruise started in Southampton you are only required to pay the Spanish VAT in Spanish ports (and within the 3 miles zone). Anyway, someone on the Epic said that they now don´t charge the Spanish VAT anymore on drinks when you do have the package. The information in the daily read "not for F&B packages". steamboats Interesting. Does anyone have screen shots to back this up? Highly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sansroof Posted October 25, 2023 #367 Share Posted October 25, 2023 7 hours ago, Ladyshopper23 said: We're in a Spanish mainland port today (well, just left) and are also in one tomorrow. There was nothing in the daily for today mentioning any charge, and no signs up, nor any extra charges made. In October we were on the Getaway from Southampton to various EU ports including Spain and also had no additional charges while in Spanish waters. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare insidecabin Posted October 26, 2023 #368 Share Posted October 26, 2023 This is the problem with NCL they can't tell you how the rules apply and when they do say something it's not consistent. There is just wishy washy(washy) wording in any terms that means they can make it up as they go along. NCL need a better strategy to deal with people purchasing an all inclusive cruise. That does not have mixed messages on extra charges. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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